In addition to the famous impacts of atmospheric carbon on global warming, there is an equally worrisome effect of carbon dioxide on the oceans: ocean acidification (or OA for short). Here at I2SEA we have a series of resources about OA, including Our Acidifying Ocean, which is an introductory activity and virtual lab (note: now mobile compatible!).
A student suggested that we start a conversation topic about OA, and here it is! Have you heard about Ocean Acidification? If so, are you worried about it? How do you think we can best raise awareness about it among your fellow students and the general public? Have you seen particularly good links or films about OA that you would like to share? What are you doing to address the problem?
Ocean Acidification >
electric cars
How much will electric cars help the enviroment?
Electric cars are way better than non-electric cars and are shown to have a lower carbon emission.
I agree that electric cars are shown to have a lower carbon emission and on top of that, there are many more ways of environmentally producing electricity such as solar panels and windmills.
Electric cars will help ocean acidification. The has absorbed between a third and one-half of the CO2 humans have released into the atmosphere since 1850. The average car produces 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year, and each gallon produces 8,887 grams of CO2. Electric cars will really help slow ocean acidification, which makes it difficult for calcifying organisms (organisms that use calcium to make their shells/exoskeletons) to make their shells/exoskeletons. Electric cars are a great way to slow ocean acidification as long as they stay affordable to the public.
While electric cars have lower direct co2 emissions it does not mean that they do not emit carbon. According to the IHS, the average car ownership length was 79.3. according to the EPA "A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year." so the average car owner emits ~30.4 metric tons of co2 over the time period they own a car. According to a study done by the Swedish environmental institute "17.5 tons of carbon dioxide is emitted by the making of the average electric car battery" or 15.87 metric tons. Which is equivalent to driving the average car for 3.45 years. According to vivint solar the average Ev takes 30kwh per 100 miles. 1kwh emits ~0.92 pounds of carbon dioxide(this verys on where you are for example france has 75% nuclear which is clean,) with the average driver in california driving 12524 miles a year, the average ev driver will emmit 1.7 metric tons of co2 which is significantly less than that of a car. Using y=mx+b where y equals 30.4 metric tones and m is 1.7, x is the number of years a person drives a car and b is the co2 emissions in making the battery(a battery is the equivalent of a gas tank in a normal car which does not emmit much co2 to make). 30.4=1.7x + 15.87, 14.53= 1.7x, 8.54 equals x, so on average if you buy a new electric car you have to drive it for around 8 years before the co2 emissions become equal(this is a very rough estimate so take it with a grain of salt). To save emitting carbon on transportation either buy used cars to eliminate production co2 emissions (also they are a ton cheaper) or try taking public transportation as the extra fuel taken to move your extra mass is negligible.